2016 Volkswagen GTI recalls and problems

4 recalls and 66 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Volkswagen GTI.

4
recalls
66
owner complaints
1
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 Volkswagen GTI recalls

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA campaign 24V110000 · reported February 14, 2024 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 261,257 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 22V543000 · reported July 27, 2022 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 1,216 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace the front-passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69DY and 61C1.

Electrical system: ignition, anti-theft, control module · Steering: column locking, anti-theft device

NHTSA campaign 19V615000 · reported August 22, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 679,027 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
The risk
Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
The fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Fuel system, gasoline · Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control

NHTSA campaign 16V647000 · reported September 7, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 110,042 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, Golf SportWagen, GTI, Audi A3 sedan and A3 Cabriolet vehicles. Due to a problem with the suction pump inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system.
The risk
As fuel accumulates in the EVAP system, it may leak out through the charcoal canister filter element. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298, Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 20Y6 and 20Y5. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 24V-110.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Mar 2, 2026 · Steering

While driving my 2016 Volkswagen GTI MK7 Autobahn Edition with approximately 37,000 miles, the power steering suddenly and without warning failed completely. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn, requiring significant physical force to operate. Simultaneously, both the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring…

Feb 21, 2026 · Engine

NHTSA Recall 24V-110 (VW 20UF). The vehicle is in Limp Mode and experiencing low oil pressure symptoms. It is also subject to Recall 24V-110, which identifies a fire risk due to fuel leakage. Despite the safety hazard, the local Volkswagen dealership has refused to perform the recall repair or diagnose the vehicle…

Jan 15, 2026 · Unknown or other

I am reporting a safety concern related to Safety Recall 20UF on my 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE and the handling of this recall by an authorized Volkswagen dealership (Pohanka Volkswagen, Capitol Heights, MD). Prior to the recall service, the vehicle exhibited loss of power, intermittent shuddering, and severe…

Aug 1, 2025 · Fuel/propulsion system

Fuel is leaking from near the gas tank when the car is running and creates a puddle- I took my car to the local VW dealership in February to get the Suction Jet Pump Recall completed.

Jul 23, 2025 · Unknown or other

I was driving on the highway, and heard a quiet sound like someone sprinkling sand on my windshield for about 10 seconds. All of a sudden, the sun roof burst and shattered with a loud pop. Luckily the internal slide-able screen webbing kept the glass from entering the compartment (except a bit of glass dust and small…

GTI model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2013 23411
2014 11001
2015 69721
2016 46610
2017 25210
2018 31720
2019 417900

Across all years, the 2019 GTI has the most complaints (179). All Volkswagen GTI years →

Questions

Does the 2016 Volkswagen GTI have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen GTI, the most recent reported on February 14, 2024 (Fuel system, gasoline). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen GTI?
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (18 complaints), followed by fuel/propulsion system (13).
How many 2016 Volkswagen GTI complaints mention a crash or fire?
1 of 66 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 2, 2026.